GENESIS: Reboot Study
Fourth and Fifth
Part 4
By Dr. Robert Fieldhouse, Disciples Path Ministry – St. Augustine, Fla.
Last time, we were reflecting on Gen. 1:8 through Gen. 1:16. Before we start our subsequent reflections, let's "finish the day," you'll understand what I mean in a minute. I posited that Genesis 1:16, where we ended in part 3, could serve as a summary or clarification of the roles assigned to the celestial bodies after their initial Creation. Hopefully, having completed your writing assignment, you now have a clearer understanding of where we are. Let's continue where we left off. Ready? Let's go!
Genesis 1:17 takes place on the fourth day of Creation, following the events described in the earlier verses of Genesis 1. The first three days involved the Creation of light, the separation of the waters, and the formation of dry land and plant life. On the fourth day, God focused on the Creation of celestial bodies, which included the sun, the moon, and the stars. We read, "And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth…" (Gen. 1:17, ESV). Genesis 1:17 reveals a specific aspect of the Creation of the cosmos: the positioning and purpose of the sun, moon, and stars in relation to the earth. God "set" the sun, moon, and stars in the "vault of the sky" to fulfill a crucial role in governing time and light. As God "set" them, this tells me that it was not a passive action but rather an intentional action. The decision to intentionally set them satisfies the need to govern time and light. In other words, it was both purposeful and precise. Think of it this way. The sun, mentioned in Genesis 1:16, provided the "daylight," while the moon and stars, which He deliberately set in the sky, provided "nightlight," which is not as powerful as the sun but is quite significant in its own right. Day and night are ways in which God ensures the proper functioning of the Created world, establishing the rhythm of time that governs the lives of everything alive on earth.
Genesis 1:18 (ESV) reads: "to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good." This Verse continues the narrative of God's Creation of the sun, moon, and stars, which He placed in the sky to govern day and night. It highlights not only the practical functions of these celestial bodies but also reinforces the theme of divine order and the goodness of Creation. It highlights not only the practical functions of these celestial bodies but also enhances the theme of Divine order and the goodness of Creation. Through this verse, we see the explicit assertion that everything in Creation has a purpose, a function, and a place in the broader narrative of God's "good" Creation. The statement "God saw that it was good" reinforces the natural goodness and perfection of God's work.
Genesis 1:19 marks the moment when the natural cycles of day and night would come into full effect. We read: "And there was evening, and there was morning, the fourth day" (Genesis 1:19, ESV). But there's a story behind this seemingly simple line. It is a story of rhythm, grace, and Divine intention. As the fourth day of Creation closed, God affirmed that Creation was good and that time itself was a Blessing. Time, with its natural rhythm, would give humanity a sense of structure and purpose. It would provide us with a sense of wonder and awe as we watched the sky darken at night and brighten at dawn. Time would teach us to recognize the sacredness of life's rhythms. In other words, how we grow, rest, and reflect. It would remind us that just as the world is made to reflect God's glory, each moment of our lives is meant to reflect the Creator's goodness. Genesis 1:19 sounds like a simple declaration: "And there was evening, and there was morning, the fourth day." However, if we reflect on those words, we will realize that a highly new order was now put into motion! If you haven't caught on yet, this was the Fourth in the title, Fourth and Fifth. I digress.
Genesis 1:20 (NKJV) reads: Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." God turned His attention to the waters on the fifth day of Creation. Until this moment, the oceans had been silent, their depths unknown, and their seas untouched by any living thing. They were vast and empty, holding only the potential for life but not the life itself. Then God spoke, and His command brought forth sea life in many forms. God spoke again, this time to the heavens above. At once, the skies were no longer empty but with a burst of movement as birds of every kind soared through the air. With each new Creation, God saw that it was good. The waters were full of life; the skies were filled with birds. The world had changed in an instant. What was once barren and still was now alive and a reflection of God's power and love.
Genesis 1:21 (NKJV) reads: So God Created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (emphasis added). Two points come to mind with this Verse. First, I borrow from the Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary. God illustrates His authority over the large sea creatures. I found this interesting because this point was significant to the ancient Israelites, whose neighbors worshipped Rahab, a mythical sea monster. Secondly, we see the phrase "according to its kind" used. That phrase will become significant a little later.
Genesis 1:22 (NKJV) says: And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." In this verse, God speaks a Blessing upon the sea and sky creatures. The Blessing is an expression of Divine favor and a command. God calls these creatures to be productive and to multiply. The Blessing reflects God's desire for life to continue flourishing in His Creation. He has a purposeful plan for the world and everything He Creates.
Genesis 1:23 marks the end of the fifth day in the Creation narrative when God finished Creating the creatures of the sea and the birds of the sky. The phrase "the fifth day" points to the orderly sequence of Creation. The earth is being populated with living creatures in the sky and waters, setting the stage for the Creation of life on land (which will happen on the sixth day – spoiler alert). Genesis 1:23 reads, So the evening and the morning were the fifth day (NKJV). While studying the Creation narrative, I found the way the days were referred to be interesting. The following is what I discovered. The sequence of "evening" followed by "morning" may seem backward from how we think about days today, where morning typically comes first. However, in the ancient Hebrew mindset, the day began at sunset, marking the beginning of a new cycle. Rabbi Israel Drazin posits in a Judaism.stackexchange.com article the following:
It is well known that Jews begin their day in the evening at sunset, not at midnight and not at daybreak, but this was not always the case. Many scholars are convinced that the biblical Israelite day started at daybreak. It seems possible that the Judeans who were exiled to Babylon accepted the Babylonian practice of beginning the day with the prior evening.
We know for sure that the day began in the Temple at daybreak, and it is assumed that the priests in the Temple retained the ancient practice for as long as the Temple existed. When the Bible states "there was evening and there was morning, one day" in Genesis 1:5, its meaning is literal: God completed what was said earlier during the "daylight period" and this was followed by evening, and when morning came, the day ended – "one day." The Hebrew is erev and boker. The first means "evening" and the second "morning" or "daybreak" (italics added). Okay, perhaps that information was just interesting to me – I digress again.
Genesis 1:24 describes God's Creation of the land animals on the sixth day. It sets the stage for the Creation of humanity, which will be given stewardship over these creatures. Genesis 1:24 states: Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind."; and it was so (Gen. 1:24, NKJV). God commands the earth to bring forth living creatures—livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth—each according to its kind (Again, this phrase introduces the biblical concept of kinds, or what some translations render as "species").
Genesis 1:25 (NKJV) reads: And God made the beasts of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:23-25 marks the completion of the fifth day of Creation, with God filling the seas and the sky with living creatures. Each creature has its place, purpose, and role within our ecosystem. There is no chaos in God's Creation; everything is designed to work together and fulfill its appointed role in the Created order. I like to think of it this way – God didn't Create ANY mistakes!
In Genesis 1:26 (NKJV), we read: "Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Genesis 1:26 introduces the Creation of humanity, declaring that God will make man in His image and likeness, with the specific role of having dominion over the earth and its creatures. This Verse underscores our unique responsibility, distinguishes humans from the rest of Creation, and assigns us a unique role as caretakers and rulers of the world. The image of God in humanity reflects God's moral and relational attributes, establishing humanity's relationship with God and others. This foundational truth of human identity shapes the Biblical understanding of human worth, relationships, and purpose. We must understand that being Created in the image of God does not imply we look like God. Being in the image of God means we are all Created with the seed of His righteousness. The Hebrew word tselem means "image" or "representation." To be made in God's image means that humanity was Created to reflect some specific attributes of God, not that humans are a physical likeness of God, as God is Spirit. The use of the plural pronoun "Us" is notable. In Hebrew, "us" is not a typo or a mistake but a deliberate choice of language.
I believe this could suggest that God is speaking within His own Divine nature or "with" the other members of the Trinity. While the term "Trinity" is not explicitly revealed in the Old Testament, this phrase is often seen as a subtle hint toward the concept of the triune God—God the Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit —as being involved in Creation. The New Testament further supports the involvement of all persons of the Godhead in Creation (e.g., John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16). Lastly, allow me to make two more points. Human beings have inherent dignity and worth. Unlike animals or nonliving Creation, we are made to reflect God's nature. As I often recommend, this is merely my understanding, and I encourage you to reflect on this verse to find your own meaning. I write only as a springboard for further study and reflection for others. I apologize for the long "tangent," but I have found this verse confusing for many people.
Genesis 1:27 reads: So God Created man in His own image; in the image of God He Created him; male and female He Created them (NKJV). Genesis 1:27 is an insightful verse that declares the Creation of humanity in the image of God. This verse emphasizes the unique dignity and purpose of human beings, who are Created to reflect God's nature and represent Him on earth. It also establishes the equality of males and females, as both Created in the image of God.
Genesis 1:28 reads: Then God Blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." The first thing God does after Creating humanity is Bless them. The Blessing is noteworthy because God's Blessing is the foundational source of our ability to carry out His commands. The Blessing implies that humanity is favored by God and empowered by Him to fulfill our role in Creation. This command summarizes our purpose in Creation. We are to participate in God's ongoing work of Creation by responsibly multiplying, cultivating, and stewarding the earth. The verse highlights our responsibility to care for the earth and its creatures. Are you still with me? We are almost at the end of Chapter 1! Let's continue.
Genesis 1:29 reads, “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food" (NKJV, emphasis added). Genesis 1:29 shows that God, as the Creator, is also the Provider, ensuring that humanity has everything necessary for life and sustenance. The plants and trees with seeds in their fruit are given to us for food, reflecting God's care, love, and generosity.
Genesis 1:30. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food; and it was so. This Verse emphasizes God's role as the Provider of sustenance for all living beings. From the beginning, God ensures His Creation has what it needs to survive and thrive.
Genesis 1:31 reads: Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the 6th day. Genesis 1:31 is the final Verse of the Creation account in Genesis 1, and it comes at the conclusion of God's Creative work. Throughout Genesis Chapter 1, God has systematically Created light, land, animals, and humans, and now He steps back to evaluate the sum of His work. This is the moment of completion. God Created the heavens, the earth, life, and its diversity. Everything is in its proper place.
Reflection: Write the date and how you feel about this high-level view study of Genesis Chapter 1 in your journal. Be honest, please, because it helps those following your experience in this study.
. Include at least two things you learned.
. What could have made this part of the study better?
. Would you recommend this study to another person?
. Why or why not
Thank you, and I pray God will richly increase your Blessings! - R
Disciples Path Ministry – St. Augustine, Florida – U.S.A.